NoonanSmails

Foothills was a course I had never played over the years. A family I was playing with at Whirlwind once told me that Whirlwind was a special treat after playing regularly at Foothills. I knew when I hit the gas pedal on the old Yamaha cart that it was going to be one of those days. The gas fumes overwhelmed me after a few holes. The layout of the course is truly awesome, but it is buried in years of reckless neglect. The tee boxes are humped and in disrepair. The fairways and greens are nice, but if you are a few yards off them, you will likely be on hardpan, bare ground or a rocky mixture. The bunkers have either white sand or brown and are totally inconsistent. The rumor is Troon is taking it over and likely fix it up. When we played there were several open trenches in the field of play. I had one drive just miss going 4 feet down into a grave-like hole. Everything from cart paths, walls, amenities and yardage markers scream dilapidated. By the end, the overall conditions and Yamaha fumes had given me a headache. This course may need to be bulldozed to recover it. For now, play it only if it is your last resort on the bargain golf market.

I had never played SG, and a few of my friends told me it was a great layout BUT the greens will leave you talking to yourself. I can now say that they were right on. The design and flow of the holes are really good. A flat piece of farmland has been transformed into a rolling landscape. No two holes are really the same. The created hills, mounding and bunkering gives you an "unflat" feel. Now with the greens they got carried away. The massive false fronts and sides like on #2, the uphill putts that can be 8 feet straight up on #7 and the cleavage green on the back nine are just too severe for normal. The two guys I played with were decent golfers, but I got tired of watching them 3 and 4 putt, or do the putt off the green trick. I think if owners reconsider a few of these circus greens, they will benefit from it. This facility has 2200 homesites and will have 450 members soon, so the days of the public playing it will soon be over, I say give it a try before it's gone, but know that the putting will be the main talking point.

For years I have been staying in Chandler, but I had never played San Marcos. We took a shot on a Friday morning and we knew by the warm welcome we received in the Pro Shop that we were going to have fun. There is no driving range and we met our pairing partners Sunny and Brandon on the putting green. They helped us with the local knowledge which includes avoiding the hard to see canal that cuts through the course and how to play the target golf holes strategically. The wind was the major factor of the day, gusting to 20 MPH at times. The greens were not fast, but were tricky to figure out, The bunker sand is compacted and treacherous to hit out of. We found the course to be a wonderful old layout, however the beat up conditions on some tees and fairways were a downer. Fortunately the 19th Hole is outstanding with cold beer, sumptuous sandwiches and a friendly staff. I would give SM another go in the future. It is certainly an old treasure in the heart of the revitalized downtown.

Jumped on the opportunity to play the Canyon Course at VC on a Sunday. It was a challenge getting to the Guest Pro Shop and then the 3/4 mile drive to the range. Then over to the staging area and then a 1/2 drive to the first tee. Once on the course it is amazing. Creative design using the elevation changes and natural features to challenge your club selection and execution. The par 3 fifth hole will leave you awestruck. The greens were crazy fast and hard to figure out the first time around. After the 9th its back to the staging area and then a 1/2 mile back to the Guest Pro Shop. The 10th hole features a monstrous rock formation, that looks like a whale, and is in play if you go long or left of the green. The back nine features a few more elevation changes and cart path maneuvers, but it was more fun than the front I thought. In the end, you are back where you started at the 18th green, complete with a waterfall. It is an enjoyable track, but I feel like I would grasp every hole better the next time around. Give VC a go if you are in the Tucson Foothills.

Sometimes you feel like people exaggerate about how hilly a golf course is. Trust me, the hills are real at Derryfield. The design makes great use of the one, expansive hill that is bisected by busy Route 28A. The strategy involved in going up or down this hill is certainly part of the fun of playing here. By the 10th hole, I had lost track of how many times I had already gone up the hill and I was hilled out. Then when you are dead tired, the uphill 18th hole taunts you one last time. I bet they make a fortune on golf cart rentals. I would play the course again because the layout is that good and the greens are fun to putt on. And yes, I would opt to ride this time around.

It had been almost 20 years since I had the chance to play Abenaqui. We hit a great Indian Summer day in October and had a wonderful time. The layout features mostly basic looking golf holes, but they all seem to have certain nuances that affect your strategy. I am sure members are all well versed on these and use their local knowledge to score well. I was in the wrong place on several holes and paid the price. The greens are electric fast and command your full attention. The final three holes, that were redesigned years ago, are still out character with the other 15 holes, but they are a fun finishing triad. If you ever get an invitation to play this coastal classic, be sure to say yes. You will not be disappointed.

Finally played this Southern Main course that I had been hearing about for years. The layout makes great use of the land that features a large hill behind the clubhouse. There are a few streams and ponds that come into play. The conditions are good enough, but by no means great. The greens were far from fast but putted very true. It is priced correctly and I walked it despite the hill that goes up numbers 1 ,3, 8 and 17, and down numbers 2, 4, 9 and 18. The staff, members and public golfers are very friendly and easy going. A very nice place to escape the crowds and have some fun.

I had always heard about CCNH from guys who went away on golf package weekends back in the day, but I had never trekked up North to play. I gave it a go after the 4th of July. It still looks like the typical 1960's clubhouse, with very few modern updates. The layout is wonderful, winding around hills and wooded areas, with a little bit of water in play. There are back tees that would test long ball hitters. The downside is that the course conditions have fallen into the barely maintained category. Grass is patchy, with weeds and dirt often in play. The greens could use a lot more love and attention. This is of course is the trademark of the company that owns CCNH and a few other NH public courses. I think with some investment and caring this course could again attract golfers to Sutton. There is no chance that is going to happen though. I wish I could have experienced the course in its Kearsage hay day. I bet it was a golfing gem!

I played Kierland for the first time and realized I should not have waited all of these years to do so. Everything about the experience is first class from bag drop to Pro Shop, driving range to starter. The conditions are immaculate and nary a blade of grass is out of place. The swirling bunkers are beautifully edged and a joy to play from. The man made moguls are clever design features to separate holes and to add some elevation to a flat piece of land. I was not a fan of some of the artificial water hazards as they seemed forced. The pace of play was great at 4:05, which suffered from a slight back up at the turn. Kierland is a first class Troon Golf facility and should be towards the top of your golf list in the PHX area.

My buddy Ralph and I played here for the first time with much anticipation. He was a bit foreboding when you use the range, short game are and practice greens, as they are in poor condition. The rest of the course is maintained alright but not great. The 9th fairway may need to be blown up and redone totally. The design of the holes are unique and very clever given the unusual piece of land the course sits on. I think the holes offer challenges, but are also very fair. Pace of play was just under 2 hours on the front, but things jammed up on the back and we played that in 2:20. I would love to play this course again after Troon Golf moves forward with the much needed renovations and repairs. Give it a try!

Sometimes you have to tell it like it is. Loudon is lousy. I was excited to play it for the first time, but that quickly went away when the young man in the Pro Shop said I would be following the 10 guys on the first tee. It may have been the Young, Neanderthal, Backwards Hat Wearing, Slow Play Open. After 4 holes in 90 minutes, I jumped the 3 groups, and found an empty back nine. I came back and played the 5 holes I skipped later. The course conditions were not much better. More weeds than grass in the fairways. The greens are grassy, but thick and slow. A lot of areas were just dust and rocks. The best kept areas are the 2 yards of the homes behind the 7th green. It was a true, all around disappointment at LCC today. It looks and feels like they just stopped caring about everything.

I played WM for the first time and I was surprised to see how sad the course conditions were. Not a lot of quality, maintained grass in the fairways, more crab grass and plantain grass, and some bare spots . The greens putted fairly well , but the cups were ragged having not been changed in several days. A few holes are oddly designed and many trees are now overhanging or blocking flight lines, especially from the Blue tees. The chute on the 10th tee is a great design but must terrify high handicappers. It was a mixture of members and tourists it seemed. One lower skilled group that started on the 10th, messed up our back nine until we finally got through. I was disappointed overall at WM, and I think the price of $64 to ride 18 is overpriced, but I guess they can get in tourist season. I hope they put some of that money back into the course.

I played BM for the first time via the Twilight Rate on a Sunday afternoon. The course was quiet, but I soon caught local legend Dan. The conditions were solidly average and the greens were sluggish but true. There are some good risk reward holes, and a few that require local knowledge. Numbers 2 and 9 are local knowledge examples. The 14th hole might wreck a few rounds of higher handicappers. I think the $37 Twi rate for 18 holes riding was a great deal and it seemed to bring in a good number of folks on a very hot evening. I think BM is a good public golf choice in the Concord area.

After getting bounced off the tee sheet at an upscale course, I booked Crooked Tree on line, sight unseen. I had low expectations based on the price and write ups. I was pleasantly surprised by everything I experienced. After a 30 minute frost delay, we were off onto a course that was well conditioned with greens that rolled true. The bunkers are a bit shaky, but it is easy to avoid most of them. The layout is interesting, but not funky, and there is plenty of roll in the fairways. I played with 3 guys in their 70's, all of whom walk the course 3 or 4 times a week. We played in exactly 4 hours. I enjoyed my day with them, as their experience helped me shoot a 7 bogey, 79. The staff was a bit worn by the public they face and I really do not like the starter calling golfers to the tee over the PA system in the Pro Shop. Give me a friendly guy with a clipboard and a few stories and I am happy. I can give CT a pass on their shortcomings and firmly state that it is a great value, public warmly welcomed, course north of the city.

I got to play the Canada course for the first time with 2 snowbirds who had played it once before. The starter Bob was a wealth of knowledge about putting and strategy, but his key tip was to watch the signs carefully or we would end up lost. The course winds through a couple of neighborhoods, some more empty areas, past a strip mall and alongside and over some busy roads. The disjointed layout features a variety of holes with several elevation changes. Challenges abound on many holes and golfers need to favor or work the ball to specific areas. Conditions are pretty good, but a few greens had some wear from mowers. The good greens rolled true and at a decent speed, We played the round in 4:05, even though we had covered over 8 miles in our carts. I enjoyed myself at EC, but I could see where first timers might get discouraged by all that it throws at you. Give it a fair chance and you might very well like it.

My retired snowbird buddies favor this public course near their part of Scottsdale. I tried to embrace their enthusiasm for Tom Sneva's creation. The conditions are good, but not great. The layout is good, but not great. There are a few elevation change holes, but much of the design is desert vanilla. Much of the ground is hard which gives amazing bounces, good and bad, depending on how straight you hit it. I thought $76 for 18 with cart was a bit high, but I guess the almost in Scottsdale address warrants that. The staff is robotic and not quite friendly. I am not a fan of the starter calling names to the tee over the Pro Shop PA system. It lacks the necessary interaction and question answering that good starters always offer. The 19th Hole is really a glorified snack bar and does not feel welcoming. I am glad my buddies enjoy The 500 during their winters in AZ. I think I would like to find a club that has a little more horse power to it.

It took me 10 minutes on site to remember why I had not played Pease in a few years. In the morning as the rain slowed, I booked a tee time for a few hours out figuring the weather would be better by then. I got a standard confirmation email from Pease. I got to the course a little early and signed in at the Pro Shop with relative ease, I went to the Starter's hut and he told me I was good to go. We discussed the weather a bit along with some other chit chat, As I stepped onto the tee box I saw a sign that said 9 holes were closed and only holes 1,2,9, 10, 11,12,16,17 and 18 were open. I walked backed to the hut to ask the starter if this was for real. He said, "oh yeah, you didn't know?" No this was my first notice of this. So off I went onto the makeshift nine. I played it twice, including a few holes with a member who explained "they just figure us members will know this." What about us cash paying types? The reason I stopped playing Pease was the lousy customer service by the lax staff members who are typical state employees. They are not held accountable and put forth the absolute minimum effort. So if you are a public golfer or tourist in the area, I urge you to play anywhere else but Pease. Try Breakfast Hill, The Oaks, The Ledges or Sagamore,, where they have customer service skills and put forth sincere effort to make you feel welcome and valued, Do not waste your time and money at pathetic Pease.

For years I had heard about SCC, but never found myself in that area on an in season golf day. I had a Friday off and took advantage of their internet special for 18 with cart for $39. The place is friendly and you can see immediately from the Pro Shop to the restrooms, everything is now a bit run down. As we drove by the driving range it was hard to tell if it was still viable.Once on the course it was easy to see the maintenance budget was very low, The greens were outstanding and putted very nicely. The tees and fairways however were more dirt and crabgrass than anything else, Bunkers were in need of sand and a good raking. The areas where carts drive were becing rocky bald patches and some were definitely in play. The layout has it's moments, although a bit quirky with some challenging routing as old 9 and new 9 holes were intertwined. The 18th is an awesome 3 shot par five that could rival any in the state. I left feeling I had gotten what I paid for. I think the management of SCC knows what they have as far as a course lacking proper conditioning, but they at least charge the right price for what you get. I hope this course can regain it's old stature in the near future.

Made my annual visit to Old Marsh on a nice day. It was odd that as I paid, there scorecards on the counter but no pencils. I asked the attendant for a pencil and he said "there are probably some on the steering wheels of our carts out there." I was not taking a cart, but I did in fact find a decent used pencil on a cart. As early as the first hole I could tell that course maintenance was being neglected much like the pencils. Some fairways were partially mown and others were more weed covered than grass. On the 11th fairway a mighty, mature weed was towering over my Titleist. Sand traps were totally unkempt and some greens had bare spots. This surprised me because I thought the new owner Resurrection Golf was supposed to do a better job on course care than the previous owner Harris Golf. I left feeling ripped off. Old Marsh has now fallen to the level of other mediocre local courses like Sanford, that charges a fair $39 for 18 holes with cart. I think the playing and paying public should be warned about the serious downturn Old Marsh is taking. It has clearly gone from bad to worse in terms of it's management and maintenance.

My friends and I were looking for a golf course to tie in to our trip to a local brewery. We happened upon Norway CC and it was a good find. It has a rustic feel to it and you know you are playing a regular golfer's course right away. The variety of holes as they go up and down, and side to side on the hilly property is a lot of fun. The fairways are a little sparse, but the rough is very tough. The conditions were only average, but we knew going in we were going to get what we paid for. Number 5 is a tough par 4 that may be one of the toughest in the state. The finishing hole is a fun driver-wedge hole that plays right up to The 19th Hole.. After two circuits, we were ready to head downtown to the Norway Brewing Company. This brewpub features some of the best beer made in Maine that very few know about. It also has exceptional food and a very welcoming staff. We enjoyed 2 hours of beer, food and talk with the locals, capping off our great golf day in Norway. I recommend a similar day of golf and beer here for anyone who is up for adventure.